The Government's emergency committee is to discuss how to tackle the "new and emerging" threat of ebola, as doctors in Britain were put on alert to spot symptoms of the deadly disease.
The outbreak is the largest in history, with the virus killing more than 670 people in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Nigeria since February.
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has told Sky News no British nationals have been affected so far, and there are no cases in the UK.
He said: "However the Prime Minister does regard it as a very serious threat and I will be chairing a Cobra meeting later today to assess the situation and look at any measures that we need to take either in the UK, or in our diplomatic posts abroad in order to manage the threat.
"We are very much focused on it as a new and emerging threat which we need to deal with."
Dr Brian McCloskey, director of global health at Public Health England (PHE), said the risk to British travellers and workers was low, but doctors needed to be vigilant for "unexplained illnesses" in those who have returned from the affected countries.
Medical staff prepare to bring food to patients in an isolation area Dr McCloskey said: "The continuing increase in cases, especially in Sierra Leone, and the importation of a single case from Liberia to Nigeria is a cause for concern as it indicates the outbreak is not yet under control.
Those who experience symptoms such as fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and a sore throat within three weeks of their return from such countries should "immediately seek medical assistance," Dr McCloskey said.
The Government's chief scientific adviser, Sir Mark Walport, has told the Daily Telegraph that ebola was "potentially a major threat" to Britain due to the increasingly "interconnected" nature of the world.
British Airways, which flies to Sierra Leone and Nigeria, said in a statement it complies with guidance from local health authorities and will "continue to monitor the situation closely".
A person from Birmingham was tested for ebola after returning from Africa, but the tests came back negative.
Reports suggest he was tested earlier this week after travelling from Benin in Nigeria via Paris to the Midlands.
Countries affected by the ebola outbreak Another man visited Charing Cross Hospital in west London after fearing he had the virus, but it was decided by doctors that he did not need an ebola test.
A Department of Health spokesman said: "We are well-prepared to identify and deal with any potential cases of Ebola, though there has never been a case in this country.
"Any patients with suspected symptoms can be diagnosed within 24 hours and they would also be isolated at a dedicated unit to keep the public safe."
Health workers, family members and others in close contact with sick and dead patients are most at risk from ebola, which can have a fatality rate of up to 90%.
Infection results from direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids and tissues of infected animals or people.
The initial symptoms are followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function, and in some instances, both internal and external bleeding.
Symptoms can take up to 21 days to show, and there is no treatment or vaccine.
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